Car insurance - claims underwriting exchange

[ashwork]

In November 2021 I was involved in a car accident. The third party accepted liability at the scene but is now disputing this. I have made a claim with the company I am with.

So far my insurance company have organised for my car to be viewed at a garage and a date for repair has been arranged.

I am in the process of renewing my car insurance atm. A family member was helping me following this recent claim.
They pointed out that I had stated on my policy for 2021 that I had had no accidents over the last five years, but that I DID have an accident in August 2016. (someone bashed into the back of my car that was parked in my driveway)
I explained that no, I didn’t have an accident in 2016, as my car was parked and I wasn’t in the car, I did however report that incident to my then-insurance company, they had said everything was fine because the other party was dealing with it all through their insurance company, which they did.

My family member said that I have totally misinterpreted the question and that this should have been declared over the last four years as it still counts as an accident, but I have never declared it to any insurance company that I have been with over that time as I didn't think I had to.
I came back home and researched online and am now terrified as it seems I should have been declaring this. I also found out that it is held on a database and my policy will be void should my insurer check!!!

I have never had to fill in forms like this before - my husband (deceased) handled these things - and I thought I had answered truthfully and correctly.

I am worried sick about what to do about this. Please advise.

[des8]

The insurers will only check the database (held by the Claims and Underwriting Exchange) if you make a claim.

You did not have an accident, but your vehicle was involved in an incident which had nothing to do with you.
You did not make a claim against any insurance company, but against the third party who then made a claim against their insurers
As you were not involved in the incident, except as victim, it would not affect the premium

A lot will depend on the actual exact wording of the proposal form, but I wouldn't worry over much, altho' if it will calm your nerves you could let the insurers know.

[ashwork]

The insurers will only check the database (held by the Claims and Underwriting Exchange) if you make a claim.

You did not have an accident, but your vehicle was involved in an incident which had nothing to do with you.
You did not make a claim against any insurance company, but against the third party who then made a claim against their insurers
As you were not involved in the incident, except as victim, it would not affect the premium

A lot will depend on the actual exact wording of the proposal form, but I wouldn't worry over much, altho' if it will calm your nerves you could let the insurers know.

I read online that even if it wasn't your fault etc it still counts as an accident - which to me is ridiculous and very confusingly worded.

I'm actually wondering if its even been recorded on CUE because my car has been booked in through my insurance company for repair. would it not be most likely that a check would be done prior to that, or is that more likely to happen after the repairs are finished? Let me know your thoughts please

[des8]

Insurer's don't (or they didn't when I was in the industry) check on CUE unless a policy holder makes a claim.
If they have already authorised repairs there is probably no record of the previous incident, or if there is they are disregarding it.
They would have queried the matter before authorising repairs

You can do your own check here by making a free data subject access request using the Motor Insurance Bureau’s (MIB’s) subject access form.

[ashwork]

Insurer's don't (or they didn't when I was in the industry) check on CUE unless a policy holder makes a claim.
If they have already authorised repairs there is probably no record of the previous incident, or if there is they are disregarding it.
They would have queried the matter before authorising repairs

You can do your own check here by making a free data subject access request using the Motor Insurance Bureau’s (MIB’s) subject access form.

thanks you for this, really appreciated - its made me feel a bit less stressed out.

My insurance is an online policy, so I'm not sure whether my repair authorisation was generated by a robot or by an actual person - do you think that would that make a difference in regards to checks?

[des8]

Even the online insurers use people.
They might only follow tick box procedures, but one of those boxes will be a CUE check.

[ashwork]

Even the online insurers use people.
They might only follow tick box procedures, but one of those boxes will be a CUE check.

Ok, that's good to know. Do you know roughly how long it takes for them to do a cue check? I know for members of the public it can take a while, about a month sometimes, to get access, can insurers rush through that waiting time?

As you said, the checks might already be done - when I spoke to the liability team regarding my accident and was told they were investigating the claim as the third party is refusing liability, so I'm not sure whether checks have been done by that point.

[ashwork]

Even the online insurers use people.
They might only follow tick box procedures, but one of those boxes will be a CUE check.

Also - one last question (sorry to have bombarded you with so many queries).

My policy is due to renew soon and is currently reading as "accident not at fault" with regards to the recent accident I've been involved in. I have contacted my insurer by email as the liability team told me that they would register it to "at fault" as the claim has not yet been settled due to the third party arguing over liability (I do have a witness though). I emailed my insurer to have them change it to at fault and they said they had amended it, but it still reads as "not at fault".

Is it perhaps more likely that when the policy changes to an at fault accident on my new policy for 2022 that a CUE check will be done then, or am I simply overthinking this?

Many thanks for taking the time to help me work my way through this, it's really appreciated.

[des8]

If repairs have already been authorised it is most probable that the CUE check has already been done via online.
They would not authorise repairs if there was a chance that they might later void the policy, as it would cause them all sorts of difficulties.

Liability issues unlikely to trigger a CUE search

[ashwork]

If repairs have already been authorised it is most probable that the CUE check has already been done via online.
They would not authorise repairs if there was a chance that they might later void the policy, as it would cause them all sorts of difficulties.

Liability issues unlikely to trigger a CUE search

That's good to know as well. I posted my query on another forum site and had a reply yesterday afternoon from someone saying that

"I work for insurance.
You have to declare all accidents, your fault or not, in the car or not. They'll advise how many years back they need.

Your new insurance will do a check, it will either be void or they will give you an additional premium to pay (to cover the risk) and it'll put on your policy.
Some insurers don't do checks straight away until a claim has been reported and they'll look on CUE or MIAFTR.

I would ring them and advise."

So now I'm really not sure when they check CUE, whether mine has still to be checked, or if it's already been passed - its all got me so anxious

[des8]

I understand that you have made a claim and the insurers have authorised repairs.
In my experience insurers do not authorise repairs until they are satisfied the policy is not voidable.

When you take out insurance you complete a proposal form.
That form will ask a question about previous incidents and when they occurred.
It depends on the way those questions are posed as to how you answer them.

If you renew your insurance with your existing insurer you have to declare any new incidents that may have occurred

Now the other answer says the same in a slightly different format, but the important part is "Some insurers don't do checks ....... until a claim has been reported".
Your claim has been reported (so CUE probably checked) and repairs authorised.
If you are renewing with existing insurers leave well alone
If you are changing insurers , read proposal form carefully

[ashwork]

I understand that you have made a claim and the insurers have authorised repairs.
In my experience insurers do not authorise repairs until they are satisfied the policy is not voidable.

When you take out insurance you complete a proposal form.
That form will ask a question about previous incidents and when they occurred.
It depends on the way those questions are posed as to how you answer them.

If you renew your insurance with your existing insurer you have to declare any new incidents that may have occurred

Now the other answer says the same in a slightly different format, but the important part is "Some insurers don't do checks ....... until a claim has been reported".
Your claim has been reported (so CUE probably checked) and repairs authorised.
If you are renewing with existing insurers leave well alone
If you are changing insurers , read proposal form carefully

That reassures me. One more bit of info I think I should run past you - not sure if it changes anything - is that my renewal is due about a week before the repairs begin. Does that make a difference as to when checks will be done?

[des8]

don't see why it should make any difference.
Regarding renewal you probably don't now need to mention that old incident as most insurers only go back 3 or 5 years.

[ashwork]

don't see why it should make any difference.
Regarding renewal you probably don't now need to mention that old incident as most insurers only go back 3 or 5 years.

Hi there, mine goes back 5 years. I was thinking about what you said regarding authorised costs and how there may have already been a check - do you think would it be worth changing insurers before my renewal in case there is a secondary cue check at that point? the claim still hasn't been settled in terms of liability, but im so nervous about renewal and not sure what to do.

[des8]

The incident you are concerned about is now over 5 years old so doesn't need declaring anyway.

If you had no intention of changing insurers, stick with your current company.
Even if it does spark another CUE check the underwriting side is unlikely to communicate with the claims side.

Anyway, that original incident would not have affected your insurer's decision to issue you with a policy, and so the non declaration (not being a decisive factor) would not be valid reason to declare your policy void.
As long as you took reasonable care and didn't deliberately misrepresent the position the insurers can't void your policy
For a little Sunday afternoon light reading the law on this is contained in the Consumer Insurance Disclosure and Representations (CIDRA) Act 2012